Special Olympics gets kick out of Pats, CVS

CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation recently teamed up to bring indoor kicking to youth from Special Olympics Massachusetts and much needed funds to their organization.

CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation recently teamed up to bring indoor kicking to youth from Special Olympics Massachusetts and much needed funds to their organization.

Through the CVS Caremark All Kids Can program and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, athletes from across Massachusetts received a respite from the cold, snowy conditions and an opportunity to test their kicking skills and re-create their favorite Patriots field goal moments at the Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

CVS Caremark and the Patriots presented a check for $25,000 to Special Olympics Massachusetts to celebrate the outcome of their Kicks for Kids campaign that ran during the 2010 NFL regular season. The $25,000 was generated by a donation made for every successful field goal at home games.

The young athletes participating range from 9 to 25 years old. They are from local towns including North Attleborough, Fall River, Swansea, Taunton, Brockton, Milford, Blackstone, Uxbridge, Bellingham, Andover and Newburyport.

Andre Tippett, executive director of community affairs for the New England Patriots, said, "The Kraft family and The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation are glad to join with CVS Caremark in supporting Special Olympics Massachusetts."

Robert Johnson, president and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts, said, "We are deeply grateful to both CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation for making such a big impact in the lives of our local Special Olympics athletes."

The Kicks for Kids campaign is an extension of All Kids Can, a program of CVS Caremark and the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust that supports nonprofit organizations that help children of all abilities learn, play and succeed in life.